During the Byzantine period, the early Christians had established that art could create images representing Christ, Mary and the Saints. All these images were considered icons. From the Greek eikon means image. These are seen throughout the Romanesque and Gothic styles. This essay will attempt to describe how the symbols were used and the meanings they had from the 11th century, throughout the Renaissance. The art had evolved and use was found inside and outside buildings, on paintings, sculptures and more. The only problem they found was that these images were venerated and the problem of idolatry was condemned by the Eastern Church. They then declared that such images could only be used if they acted as intermediaries between those who worshiped and the characters present in them. During the Romanesque era many buildings, such as churches and monasteries were built, increasing in number exponentially. The main motive was the desire to create monumental places of worship and call them the house of the Lord, which also included his saints. These structures were completely covered with religious motifs. Scholars say these serve as a purpose to inspire and instruct believers to follow a certain Christian message and/or purpose. These buildings, basically churches, were built using one master pattern. They had to proceed from east to west and were as complex as they were where it was a series of simple geometric shapes. They included interior locations that were rearranged for the purpose of their use. These places were the chapels, the ambulatory, the apse and the choir, as well as a high crossing tower and an entrance portico. The term Gothic was used by Italians to call the...... medium of paper...... meaning sh on the symbols used. These symbols are the style used today and are recognized as they were during their time. REFERENCES Tokstad, M. (2009). History of art. Portable edition. (3rd edition). Upper Saddle River, NJ:Pearson. Figure 1, Saint-Pierre Cathedral, Beauvais, choir, begun 1225, restored 1284 after collapse. Retrieved from http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/mgot/hd_mgot.htm Figure 2, Amiens Cathedral (Notre-Dame Cathedral), 1220, seen in the choir. Retrieved from http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/mgot/hd_mgot.htmFigure 3, Pietà [Tempera on wood] Retrieved from http://www.sandrobotticelli.org/painting-Sandro%20Botticelli-Pieta-33391 . htmFigure 4, Delivery of the keys to Saint Peter. [Photograph]. In the Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/media/107131/Giving-of-the-Keys-to-St-Peter-fresco-by-Perugino